Malnourished British prisoner suffering 'awful' conditions in Myanmar jail

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Malnourished British prisoner suffering 'awful' conditions in Myanmar jail

A British man held in Myanmar’s most notorious jail is wasting away in a tiny cell with no window and an open sewer for a toilet while the British government is ignoring pleas to intervene, his father has told the Guardian.

Philip Blackwood, 33, and two Burmese colleagues were accused of insulting religion and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail in March after he posted a psychedelic image of Buddha wearing headphones on the Facebook page of the Yangon bar he manages.

“Philip has loss 50 pounds (20kg) since he was arrested,” Brian Blackwood, from Middlesbrough, told the Guardian from the New Zealand capital Wellington where he lives with his wife Angela.

When they last visited Philip in June, they found “awful conditions. There was a hole in a corner as a long drop into a open sewer. He was sleeping on a pallet and there was a window but it had been blocked off”.

Full story: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/08/malnourished-british-prisoner-suffering-awful-conditions-in-myanmar-jail?

[orientalsf]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

[timmyp]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

I recommend reading more about the case before you decide to post an opinion about it.

[Saan]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

Patronising self righteousness,

I can't wait until you make a mistake in SEA and have to spend time in one the hell holes.

Then we will see ow superior you feel.

[wirat69]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

I recommend reading more about the case before you decide to post an opinion about it.

That is a bit harsh,especially as Blackwood seems to have had the idea of defacing the Buddha in an alcoholic bar. He would not have had the same "artwork" if his bar was in NZ...unless he also had a Christian, an Islamic, a Swami, and a non-believer (to avoid anti-discrimination laws), yet he seems to have thought it would be a great idea in Rangoon. Seems that maybe Blackwood had read as much about Myanmar culture as you (TimmyP) had thought about orientalsf eponymous truth "When in Rome...."

But more importantly, seems this guy is shopping for sympathy. Earlier he was a Kiwi, trying to pressure the NZ government to do something. Now, after the family has lived in NZ for more than ??30 years?? they are Brits and want UK government to intervene.

[bluebluewater]

I need to lose some weight . . . ?

[Bernard Flint]

His dad last visited him in june, sorry, end of story for me, if daddy not want to help him, who else is there

[Inn Between]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

Completely agree that this is a self-righteous and patronizing post. Can you imagine sitting near this guy in a bar as he tries to sermonize to all around how to conduct themselves through their sad, clueless little lives?

Religion is offensive.

So the guy dolls up Buddha in some way on a Facebook page and should be thrown in hell for 2-1/2 years? Bullshit!

[romeijoe]

Kiwi in burmese jail

[romeijoe]

Philip may well have made a mistake.but we would all do well to realise that he is a decent young man who did exactly that made a mistake ! He does not deserve to be ridiculed by people that have no idea of the young mans intentions when making this unfortunate mistake. He has and will suffer an unimaginably hard time for what can only be considered a silly advert. Have some heart people it could easily be you there in that hell hole. I hope he servives this only to become stronger

[NickJ]

Should have just denied his next visa.....

[soalbundy]

Where is the British embassy ? ''We are providing consular support during this difficult time......'' OK he is in prison,can't change that but the embassy could change his living conditions somewhat. Probably on the same efficient caring level as the British embassy in Bangkok

[Nemesis7]

Thats how the Burmese people are. specially towards any one white or holding a first world passport.

[ggt]

accused of insulting religion and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail in March after he posted a psychedelic image of Buddha wearing headphones on the Facebook page of the Yangon bar he manages.

How dare he! Crucify Him! Crucify Him!

Doesn't this foreigner know we are a religion of peace, love, and tolerance?

[Berto]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

Who are you?

[jacko45k]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

Who are you?

I think she is an oriental female, although actually has supplied as much information as you in the TV profile.

This post by orientalsf seems to have generated a lot of negative feedback, but personally I think it contains a lot of sense. Punishments are often draconian and harsh in developing countries, but they are more than entitled to set their own laws and retributions. The real issue is when justice fails or is corrupt and innocent people suffer. But when their laws are blatantly (or arrogantly) ignored by foreigners, as in the reporters on tourist visas in Indonesia case, they like to mete out their harsh punishments.

This particular case, I would say there is fear for the guys life and he should be released and deported.

Edited October 8, 2015 by jacko45k

[kiwikeith]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

Patronising self righteousness,

I can't wait until you make a mistake in SEA and have to spend time in one the hell holes.

Then we will see ow superior you feel.

The guy comitted a minor crime, however it was an insult to religion and he probably did not see that way at the time.

He does not deserve to be treated worse than being in a pig pen and probably could die.

The British authorities are as weak as peev so are NZ authorities they are prepared to let the B2 be sacrificed so as not to damage foreign relationships, I think that this was once called Blackmail.

maybe he should write a letter to a high ranking Bhuddist monk apologising, as the guy in Thailand wrote to the King after spraying his image and got a pardon.

[timmyp]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

I recommend reading more about the case before you decide to post an opinion about it.

That is a bit harsh,especially as Blackwood seems to have had the idea of defacing the Buddha in an alcoholic bar. He would not have had the same "artwork" if his bar was in NZ...unless he also had a Christian, an Islamic, a Swami, and a non-believer (to avoid anti-discrimination laws), yet he seems to have thought it would be a great idea in Rangoon. Seems that maybe Blackwood had read as much about Myanmar culture as you (TimmyP) had thought about orientalsf eponymous truth "When in Rome...."

But more importantly, seems this guy is shopping for sympathy. Earlier he was a Kiwi, trying to pressure the NZ government to do something. Now, after the family has lived in NZ for more than ??30 years?? they are Brits and want UK government to intervene.

This story is more than someone who is being punished for not doing as the Romans were doing during his visit to Rome.

Considering that he took down the image immediately, stopped handing out the objectionable flyers, etc., you don't think two and half years is inappropriate? Were there intent to break a law, I can understand a harsh punishment. This guy was used to make an example of, and the lack of severity in what he did wasn't going to stop nationalists from using him for their own means.

I agree the guy is going for sympathy, it's a common approach when people get desperate. Perhaps the horrible treatment in prison is true, but I don't doubt at all that it's often exaggerrated. Sometimes it makes me roll my eyes as it probably does many other people. Whether a prisoner is being whiny or not doesn't change the reality of situation that got them into prison, and in this situation, it appears highly unfair. Certainly more than, "well, you broke the rules, so suck it up."

I'll refrain from smartass implications that you didn't read enough about the case, etc.

[springheeled jack]

I do feel sorry for this chap rotting away in a stinking little cell in Burma but you just cant denigrate religion in asia I would have thought with him living and working in Burma would have known that .

[thailanddogerator]

Right, I do not visit any retarded country where I do not want to respect and follow any rules and laws, so it means a lot !

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

[cookee68]

You can kill who you want, rape who you want steal what you want, but dont F@@k with religion in a country that is so backward it could kiss its own arse, Take a look around the world today and it speaks for its self. And last but not least, dont post on the worlds biggest media web site, someone is always there waiting for people like this.

[puukao]

i remember seeing a statistic of people arrested in Myanmur, it was amazingly high...like over 70%. It does seem like a beautiful country with much to see, and, when in doubt, avoid posting things on a personal account. i also remember everyone saying you need dollar bills ironed perfectly.

i would like to bike there, for sure.

[cyberfarang]

Thats how the Burmese people are. specially towards any one white or holding a first world passport.

You should do your research. In Burma they treat their nationals even worse. The masses really have to tow the line.

I pity the poor guy and hope he manages to be released soon. I know that to us this treatment is considered cruel and harsh, but we are not dealing with western values in this case and us that live in these countries have to learn the dos and donts and accept these societies for what they are or leave.

This is mild compared to commiting a similar offence in a Muslim country, hope the guy survives his ordeal.

[1sickpuppy]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

Just another pommie pedophile, too many of them here, hope he enjoys his holiday

[JHolmesJr]

The burmese response is the total opposite of buddhist teachings…zero compassion and understanding…..buddha will be rolling his eyes at them.

[soalbundy]

Although I feel for this person, when you visit or settle in a foreign country you have to realize you have to abide by their rules and laws. Go in with your eyes open, you are not in your country anymore. No matter how superior you feel in what you consider a third world country, they are a sovereign nation and you abide by their rules and laws.

Just another pommie pedophile, too many of them here, hope he enjoys his holiday

where does it say he is a pedophile ?

[jalansanitwong]

Why is a young 33 year old Brit running a bar in a hopelessly backwater corrupt country like Burma or Myanamar or whatever they call themselves thesedays.

I'm surprised you can even do that.

The British have a nasty habit of 'going native' when they leave Heathrow.

The Britsh embassy cant be blamed. Theyre probably fed up with all these oddballs getting into trouble.

Youre an adult. Youre on your own in Asia or Sth America.

[soalbundy]

Why is a young 33 year old Brit running a bar in a hopelessly backwater corrupt country like Burma or Myanamar or whatever they call themselves thesedays.

I'm surprised you can even do that.

The British have a nasty habit of 'going native' when they leave Heathrow.

The Britsh embassy cant be blamed. Theyre probably fed up with all these oddballs getting into trouble.

Youre an adult. Youre on your own in Asia or Sth America.

Perhaps they just wanted to live a little, you know adventure. Live on an industrial estate in Britain for a few years and you will know what i mean.

[mrmicbkktxl]

The buddhism in Myanmar comes closer and closer to hardline islam.I always thought buddhism is the best religion or believe but when you see what they do with the rohinga etc.This guy made a mistake some high ranking monks should plead for his release.UK or and NZ government should be ashamed to let this happen

[jalansanitwong]

I didnt realise living on an industrial estate in Britain was that bad that you would risk 'living' in a religious freakhouse like Burma. Some adventure!

I think embassies are treated unfairly. Their main role is facilitating commerce,education transfer and cultural exchange. They represent the interests of their country first and a very poor second comes individuals who screw up and go to prison or get wiped out by an Asian wife.